With the Chiefs out, Pederson set to become Eagles coach

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Doug Pederson walked into the locker room as an assistant coach one last time on Saturday. He held a play sheet in his left hand while walking among players just seconds after the Kansas City Chiefs' 27-20 loss to the New England Patriots. Pederson exited 30 minutes later, wheeling a suitcase to the team bus after a bad night but heading toward a bright future.

The next time he leaves a football field, it will be as the head coach of the Eagles.

Pederson declined comment to reporters from the Philadelphia area in the Gillette Stadium hallway after the loss, which eliminated the Chiefs from the playoffs and will allow the Eagles to hire Pederson as Chip Kelly's replacement this week.

The Eagles announced on Thursday that they had concluded their search, but they have not officially announced Pederson as coach. Once the details are finalized, though, it will be Pederson's job. His players in Kansas City are eager to see how he does.

"Philly's getting a good one, man," said wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, a former Eagles Pro Bowl player. "He's a guy who understands how things are supposed to be done. I think he's going to do great things there. I'm excited for him. I think he deserves it. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does up there."

Pederson, 47, has spent only seven seasons as an NFL assistant coach. All of them have come under Andy Reid. Even though he contributes to the play-calling in Kansas City, those decisions are still primarily Reid's. But Maclin insisted that Pederson is ready to take on a top job - "110 percent," he said.

"I think he understands the personalities in the locker room, and I think that's the first important step of being a head coach," Maclin said.

Wide receiver Jason Avant saw Pederson progress from quality-control coach to quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia, and he has now seen Pederson as an offensive coordinator in Kansas City. Avant noted how Pederson helps with the play-calling, and he repeatedly mentioned Pederson's playing experience as an asset. Pederson played 12 seasons in the NFL for four franchises.

"When you play this game, it makes it a lot easier because you understand both sides," Avant said. "He's definitely progressed in a lot of different ways. . . . I've just seen his confidence grow."

Tight end Travis Kelce, the brother of Eagles center Jason Kelce, said Pederson "works harder than anybody I've ever seen" and is "ready for anything that anybody throws at him." Other teammates talked about how likable Pederson is - one commented that players "will rally behind him" - and they pointed out how important his role is with the Chiefs.

"He's the real deal, a really, really good coach," Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. "He's going to be a great head coach, if that's the case. Just has that quality about him, that coolness. He can relate to players. I think he will be great at it."

Reid, who endorsed Pederson to the Eagles brass, was asked how long he would need to hire Pederson's replacement.

"We'll see how things roll here in the next couple of days," he said.

That was as much as Reid shared on Pederson's pending exit. There are still details to be settled, but Reid will need a new offensive coordinator once Pederson officially takes Reid's old job. Pederson had no comment about that new role on Saturday - but there will be much to answer when he's officially introduced this week.

"We'll see you in a couple of days," he said as he walked to the bus.

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm